Click here to ask Sarah!

[Isla]

Hey Sarah, I was just wondering what character you feel you relate to the most?

[Sarah, Author of The Moon and More]

Kaitlyn wrote: "Hi sarah! I absolutely love your books! They helped me though so much when I was in high school! I was wondering, when you're done writing a book how long do you wait to start writing again? And wh..."

Always when I finish a book I think I will never write another one. I'm usually so tired and burned out I can't do anything but sleep and watch Bravo. But eventually, an idea usually bubbles up. I'll keep filing things away, or writing them down, but eventually it will just get too interesting to ignore any longer and I'll have to start. I put it off as long as I can, though, because I KNOW once I begin I'll push myself to write every single day.

[Sarah, Author of The Moon and More]

Lauren wrote: "Do you write based on personal experience from when you were a teenager, or do you get inspiration from other places?

If its from personal experience, how do you keep the experiences feeling so cu..."

I do worry that my books won't feel as "real" now that I am so far out of high school myself. That said, I do try to stick to the things that don't change as much rather than keeping up with everything that does. The music, the slang, the world may be totally different, but some issues---like dealing with your parents, friends, love, etc---stay the same. They're timeless, whether we like it or not. So I stay close to them.

[Sarah, Author of The Moon and More]

Sarah wrote: "I'm curious as to how you first decided to link all of your books together. Those links are sometimes so small a reader will almost miss them, you put them in so seamlessly. Is it rather simple to ..."

I try to make the connections as organic as possible. My hope is that if you haven't read any of the other books, the mentions of characters/places won't be distracting, but if you HAVE, it's like a little wink. I don't plan them out too much. They just sort of appear, or if I'm thinking of a specific place or person I wonder if I can work something in. If it seems right, I do it. It's better not to overthink! (Although I ALWAYS overthink. It's my number one issue as a writer, and, well, a person.)

[Sarah, Author of The Moon and More]

Kelsie wrote: "Sarah,
First, omg, I love you, if I get to see you next month I might fangirl and cry.
Now questions:
Have you ever tried writing one book, but it ended up becoming another?
What book was the har..."

I think JUST LISTEN was one of the hardest writing experiences I've had so far. Usually by the time I get to the very end of a book, I feel pretty good about it, but with that one I just didn't. I remember taking the manuscript to a coffee shop, reading it straight through, and then having a full-on panic attack. I was like, "How can I have worked so hard and this still isn't good enough?" I was losing it. I called my mom, who put my dad on the phone. He's good in a crisis. He said, "You're too close to it. Send it to your agent, get another opinion." So I did, and she loved it. He was right. There comes as time when I just have to get my sticky little fingers out of everything and let it go. I was glad I listened. So to speak.

[Sarah, Author of The Moon and More]

Barbara wrote: "Sarah, welcome to the group. My name is Barbara, I go to the University of Florida, and I am an English and psych major. I've always seriously considered writing as a career, but currently I am com..."

I never actually set out to be a YA writer. I just wrote a book with a teenage narrator, and my agent said it was YA. I was hesitant at first, because I was afraid I'd never be able to do anything else, but she told me to just trust her. I'm so glad I did. I think as a writer part of the hardest work is recognizing your strengths, and the teen voice just works for me. I'm so lucky to be here.

[Sarah, Author of The Moon and More]

Abby wrote: "Hey there Sarah!

My name is Abby and as everyone else in this group has already stated, I'm a big fan of yours and of your writing. If I had to pick a favorite book of yours, I think it would hav..."

When I have a book in progress, I try to write every single day, usually for about two hours. But at the end of a book, when I can feel myself getting close to finishing, I'll write for longer, often pushing myself to get to that last, final sentence. By this point my husband understands that at a certain point I'll just really weird and quiet and be over in my office and forget to come to dinner. He can basically set his watch by it. But on a normal day, I do my work, then shift back into household mode as I walk across the breezeway from my office above the garage. Two worlds, very unlike, but adjacent.

[Grace]

Hello Sarah! I'm almost sixteen years old and I'm writing my second book, which I call Like The Stars. I would like some advice, please:

1. What tips would you give for the rewrite stage?
2. Since I am only fifteen, when do you think I should start really getting serious about finding a publisher and trying to get my stuff out there?
3. Do you suggest going to college for writing? And for how many years should I plan on?

Also, I've noticed that once I have the general idea of my story and my characters in mind, my characters start deciding everything for themselves. I feel like I'm discovering the elements of the story, rather than making them up. Is this what's supposed to happen? Do you have anything to say about that?

[Sarah, Author of The Moon and More]

Jessica wrote: "Hi Sarah :) What do you think about the editing process? Most authors complain about it, but never elaborate. I just wanted to know your view on it."

I really need my editor. Do I love revising? No. I don't know anyone who does. But I don't always love writing, either. That's what makes both aspects, writing and revising, work. And you get to a point, as the author, where you seriously lose all perspective. I NEED someone else to come in and take a second look and help me shape what I have. I've worked with the same editor, the fabulous Regina Hayes at Viking, since THIS LULLABY, seven books now. We have a great rhythm and just get each other. But we work hard. We both want the book to be as good as possible, always.

[Sarah, Author of The Moon and More]

Lorena wrote: "Hi Sarah!! Today is my birthday!! Can I have a signed copy of The Moon and More? Just kidding, although it is my birthday ;>) My name is Lauren and my friends and I have been reading your books ..."

Happy Birthday, Lorena! Hope it's a great one! :)

[Sarah, Author of The Moon and More]

Alexa wrote: "Hi Sarah! I have loved your books for many, many years. I always get so excited when I learn you have a new book coming out! I really enjoyed the moon and more.
One of the things I love the most ab..."

That's so funny, because I did actually think about having Norman show up in the book. There's a line, I think, where Ivy asks Theo if he'd been in touch with "that guy from here who'd been at Parsons," and in my mind, that was Norman. I just never took it further. Maybe I should have!

[P]

Hey Sarah! What has been your favorite book to write, and why?

[Sarah, Author of The Moon and More]

Lindsay wrote: "Hey Sarah,
I was just wondering which love interest from your books is most like your husband? And why?

Thanks, love you, love your books,
Lindsay"

I don't think any of them are JUST like my husband, but they all have little bits and pieces. It's mostly that quirky humor, because that was always so attractive to me in ANY guy. I will say that the whole Jedi Mind Trick that Macon talks to Halley about in SOMEONE LIKE YOU is based totally on my husband and a conversation we once had. He is convinced he has Jedi powers. I am not so sure, but...

[Sarah, Author of The Moon and More]

Nicole wrote: "When you are writing, do you have a certain message or theme in mind that you want to achieve or do you just kind of stumble upon it?"

I usually have a certain sense when I begin of an over-arching theme, but some of the best stuff comes without me really planning it. One of my professors at UNC, the great Doris Betts, always told us that if you're too obvious with symbolism it's like hitting the reader with a frying pan. She said we should trust our subconscious will put in what we need, and I find that to be true. It's always hard to have faith, though!

[Cynthia]

Your books are amazing. I love how you understand young adults completely. Your readers can and do relate to each and every book and story line that you write. You have a gift! Thank you for sharing this gift with us. Keep writing and as soon as I get my own classroom, I plan on purchasing every book that you have written for my classroom library.

[Sarah, Author of The Moon and More]

Destiny (Elizabeth Grace) wrote: "Hello Sarah! I'm almost sixteen years old and I'm writing my second book, which I call Like The Stars. I would like some advice, please:

1. What tips would you give for the rewrite stage?
2. Since..."

When I start the rewrite/editing process, the first thing I do is go back to the beginning of the book and read it straight though. It's just the best way to get a sense of what I'm working with. I can take things out I thought I might need but don't, get a sense for what's working and what is dragging, and just experience it as a whole. Then I go back and do it again. And again. Until I feel like it's as good as I can get it, and then it goes off to my agent for HER opinion.

[Emily]

Sarah, I wish you would take the beginning of my story and give me a different ending.

[Sarah, Author of The Moon and More]

You guys, I can't believe it's already almost five pm here! My babysitter is about to leave, which means the end of the workday (or writing workday: parenting is a job that HAS no time clock, I've found). Thank you all SO SO much for all the questions. If I didn't get to yours specifically, I so hope I answered it somewhere! Thanks again for all the kind words. Have a GREAT summer!

[P]

Hey Sarah! I have a quick, (kind of) random question. What are some artists/bands that you listen to for inspiration?

[Bernadette]

Hi: Sarah are going to write any contemporary romance series!!

[Angellfishsushi]

Hi Sarah! My name is Angell and I love all your books!! They are such an inspiration! How do you capture the dialogue so that it is both realistic and interesting?

[Maddie]

ever considered writing a story from the guy's perspective only? love everything you write, reading the moon and more next!

[Sawyer]

Hey Sarah, I so obviously love you and your writing otherwise I would not be here write now! Here are my questions: What is your favorite book you've written? How do you develop your books so realistically? Approximately how long do you write for each day?

[Kelsie]

oh my. I teared up seeing your reply.. fangirl moment

[Jada]

Hello Ms. Sarah. Lock and Key was my first 'big girl' book, I guess. I read it in 6th grade and I have to ask; how is it although you are well into adulthood that you are able to stay so in sync with the adolescent mind and accurately hone in and create the realistic situations. in short, how are you so good at writing in this genre?

[Cheyenne]

Hey Sarah. My name is Cheyenne. I absolutely love your book Dreamland! I would say that it's my favorite book. I love Caitlin and Rogerson in this book. They are such amazing characters, and I feel like I connected a little with them. I would really enjoy if you made a second book about them. I know that might sound a little bit too much to ask, but I want to see how Caitlin gets past this final part in her life now. Shes such a strong character. Dreamland left me wanting more. Well I guess my question would be is how do you think Caitlin got through it and do you think she will go back to him?

[Tina]

Hi Sarah! My name's Tina and I was wondering on how you stay on topic and know which book or like plot line is the best to keep working on or something like what's your method for writing

[Missy]

Hi Sarah. I've read all of your books. I always like the supporting characters and find them interesting. I just wondered if you write about any of them based on people you may know or meet, or do some of them remind you of people you know?

[Polet]

Hi Sarah, I'm a huge fan of your books and I was wondering, who's your favorite character out of all the ones you've created?

[FungiAsh]

Hi Sarah! I love how all your books are set in the summer at Colby (my favorite of yours is "What Happened to Goodbye"). I've been wondering, have you ever consider having one your main characters interacting with one from another book?

[Vicky]

Hey Sarah! , i'm from Argentina and I'm 14 years old and i'm one of your biggest fans.i LOVE YOUR BOOKS :What happened to goodbye, This lullaby etc.. I was wondering what your motivation was to keep writing .

[Jenny]

Hi Sarah :)
My name is Jenny ^_^ HUGE HUGE HUUUUUGGGEEE FAN!!!!
Okay my question is whats your inspiration for your books? and What's your favorite memory when you were writing your books?

[Catherine]

Hi Sarah! I have read several of your books, and I always find it so amazing how you can make your characters and your stories so real and relatable. Writers like you motivate me to be better at everything I do, whether it be writing or something else in my everyday life. My question for you is, did you always know that you wanted to become a writer? Or was there a particular event in your life that inspired you to become one? Thank you! :)

[Jennifer]

Hi Sarah!I have always wondered whether your characters and novels are inspired by real life. Are they just products of your imagination? How do you come up with them? They seem sooo real when I read your novels I actually feel like they exist!

[Kirstyn]

Hey Sarah, I'm Kirstyn and I love your books!!!! When my friends ask me if I could recommend a novel for them to read I always say a Sarah Dessen book, any one is amazing!! Haha I love the characters and romances of your novels. I appreciate what you do and cannot wait to read the moon and more!

[Natalie]

Hi Sarah,
Your books are AMAZING!! I read The Truth About Forever in...probably late middle school, or maybe ninth grade. It made me track down every other book you had written before it (and all those since) and inhale them. The Truth About Forever has remained my favorite of yours - as well as my favorite book of all time! - but I love each and every one of you books! I love how you have topics that are of a more...taboo, for lack of a better word (hey, it's almost bed time! My brain is beginning to shut down!), such as rape and teen pregnancy. Even when your heroines are very different from me, I cannot help but find ways to relate to them and love them dearly! Thank you for writing, and I cannot wait for the next book (I already read The Moon And More, so I have a long wait unfortunately)!

[[deleted user]]

heyy this is my story not finished http://www.goodreads.com/story/show/3... but please read ms.dessen <3

[Gio]

Hi Sarah! I remember picking up Lock And Key in seventh grade, and immediately after finishing it, being on a constant lookout for all your other books. I've read all of them up to What Happened to Goodbye, and am hoping to read The Moon And More soon (11th grader now). I want to thank you for the amazing stories you write and the opportunity you gave to us fans. I'm so glad you took the time to answer your readers' questions, which isn't something all writers would do! Love from North Cali

[Jodie]

Hello mrs. Sarah I was just wondering if you could compare the relationships that form in this book to that of the relationships formed in other books of yours. Whether it is more focused of family qualities or on romantic relationsips? Or both once again?

[Rachel]

Hello, my name is Rachel and i have to say i really, really love your books. How do you create such wonderful, touching novels over and over again? You are so talented! My favorite book of yours is What Happened to Goodbye. That book really touched my heart deeply, and i thank you for that.

i really love to write, and for a while i tried to do what you do, but it didn't really work out (although i have not gotten a second opinion on that) and i kind of gave up on writing my own book. i will probably try again when school starts back up. Anyways, i can't wait to start another book by you (i'm reading This Lullabye now) .
P.S if you have any writing pointers, i would really appriciate hearing them.
thanks

[Lily ★]

Hey Mrs.Dessen!

You're an amazing author, and I just wanted know that I love your books, and you're amazing amazing author! My favorite book was Just Listen - Sarah Dessen. I really fell in love with your books! I'm 12 years old! Even though at a young age, you really put a big impact onto my life. Your books are fabulous, and I would if you answer these questions!
1. In what position, or how do you write a book? What if your most comfortable things to do and have while writing a book?
2. Are these book based on your childhood?
3. Do you plan before you write?
4. Where did all your ideas come from?
Thank you!

[Trini]

Hello Mrs. Dessen, I Love your book Keeping the Moon where did you get the inspiration to write it.

[Imani]

Sarah i have read almost all of your books and cant figure out how you got your inspiration. im only in 6th grade and have a more of a understanding than others may think. I enjoy your books deeply and am proud to say you are one of my favorite authors

[Sarah]

Hi Mrs. Dessen!! My name is Sarah and I absolutely love your books. You are an AMAZING author and also one of my favourites. I loved all of your books but my favourite one is Lock and Key. I just one to say that keep up the fantastic work and good luck on your future books.

[Paiten]

Hi Sarah! I've read several of your books, and Lock and Key was by far my favorite. Where do you get your inspiration for the characters? Thanks!

[Sujimaraj]

hello Serah, I am a HUGE fan of your books and have read all. Saying that, Lock and Key was indeed my favourite. I am trying to start writing (novels) and would love to know if you have any writing tips to start AND FINNISH an entire book?... Thanks for all you wonderful books :)

[Claire]

Thoughts on visiting Australia?

[Genesis]

What made you decide to write books?

[Neemz]

Hey Sarah! I love love love your books! Especially your new book, The Moon and More. I noticed that in your books most of your main characters either have no siblings or older sisters (the exception being Along for the Ride where she had an older brother). Do you have any siblings?

[Christine]

Hey Sarah

My name is Christine Lynn hatfield and I'm 26 years old and I play the piano and iwork at the riverside elementary school where I help little kids that are handicapped and I'm making bracelets for the make a wish foundation of New Jersey and I have a medical problem